Racing game



Sept. 19, 1944. A. H. STEWART 2,358,604

RACING GAME Filed April 17, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Sept. 19, 1944. A. H. STEWART RACING GAME Filed April 17, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ITg/IENTOR m,

Sept. 19, 1944. A. STEWART 2,358,604

RACING GAME Filed April 17, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Applictzti zpfl l 115337554 7 Claims.

This invention pertains to a new and improved form of game or amusement device, and more particularly, to a traveling or racing device and/or to speed control thereof.

Previous to the present invention, machines and/or devices for amusement purposes have been based upon substantially similar mechanical features for their operative mechanisms, and for this reason, operate in substantially similar ways. As a result, they have lost much of their novelty and new devices working on the same mechanical principles do not create a new demand.

In view of the above situation, it has been an object of my invention to provide a new and improved type of device or game which will have great public appeal.

Another object of my invention has been to develop an amusement device employing new principles of operation.

A further object of my invention has been to devise a new method for controlling the speed of operation of racing or traveling amusement devices and/or to devise variable features of control that cannot be positively controlled by an operator.

A still further object has been to provide a race track device, the speed of operation of the elements of which may be'variably controlled by an operator or operators, and/or such that a positive desired variation of speed cannot be obtained.

These and many other objects of my invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiments of my invention shown, the description, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a somewhat diagrammatical plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention that is particularly suitable for indoor or miniature installations;

Figure 2A is a modified circuit arrangement which may be .employed in connection with the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 2 is an electrical circuit arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal view, partially in section, of an automatic, magnetically-controlled master switch, including a coin-operated switch mechanism;

Figure 4 is a vertical view in elevation of the coin-operated switch mechanism of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical detail of a feaof a horse having a speed control mechanism therein;

7 Figure 12 is a side perspective sectional detail of a preferred form of control mechanism;

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional detail showing a modification of the device of Figure 5.

In carrying out my invention, I preferably provide one or more electrically operated trucks upon which a horse or other racing device is mounted. The movement of each truck about the track is controlled by a rheostat device, designed in such a manner that, after movement has been initiated, the truck will always move about the track at a certain minimum rate of speed until the requisite number of laps have been accomplished, and further, such that an operator may vary the rheostat to increase the rate of travel of the truck. However, the preferred control is of a type such that a change of speed accomplished by a movement of the control arm of the rheostat cannot be definitely determined, and also, such that the change will be a variable one. This result is obtained by providing a rheostat disc which may be rotated at a desired speed; the disc is preferably of a segmental type having odd-shaped segments or portions whose resistivity is different than adjacent portions. When a contact arm is manually moved over the face of such a disc during its rotation, it will be apparent that the current supplied to a given truck will vary, and that, the speed of such truck will thus be varied.

By providing a plurality of such mechanisms interconnected in a suitable manner, I have been able to devise a very interesting game which will have a great public appeal, chiefly because each individual may have a race horse truck assigned to him, and because the change of speed of such horse above a certain minimum rate of travel can only be nonpositiv'ely controlled by him.

The invention may be employed in connection with miniature or indoor devices that will, of course, require a more complicated and intricate control circuit, and may also be successfully applied in connection with large size, or in efiect, life-size devices which may be actually ridden by an individual. In the latter case, of course, the control system and/or circuit will be relatively simple. And, for the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the drawings arrangements suitable for adaptation to both miniature and life-size installations.

As shown particularly in Figures 14, inclusive, I contemplate providing miniature or toy size installations with a coin-operated switch mechanism, in order that revenue may be obtained, if desired, from the use of such device.

Of course, if the device is to be used in thehome, the coin slot mechanism may be eliminated and/or suitably shaped conductor slugs may be used. In the position shown in Figure 4, the metal coin C bridges elements 24 and 25 to provide a closed circuit therethrough, see also Figure 2. As hereinafter set forth, this causes current energization of the holding coil 46.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, I have designated individual race trucks by the numerals la, lb, and lc, respectively. In Figure 5, I have shown a pedestal 2 extending upwardly from a truck I and having a suitable figure, such as a horse 3, mounted thereon. Of course, it will be apparent that any other figure such as an automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, airplane, etc., may be substituted without departing from'the spirit and scope of the invention.

The truck I is provided with a pair of front wheels 6; a pair of back wheels 8 are directly driven by a motor 1 whose axial shaft is the axle shaft upon which the back wheels 8 are secured. The wheels 6 and 8 ride on a pair of suitablyshaped and spaced-apart track members ll; and, since one side of the. motor is grounded to the frame-work of the truck. see the connection l2 of Figure 5, current connections are made to one side of the motor I through the tracks II and the wheels 6. Any other suitable form of truck and motor arrangement can be employed, if desired. The other-connection between the electrical supply line and the motor is made through a third rail, spring-like slide contact member 9 which extends backwardly behind the truck I and slidably contacts a third rail Ill.

The motors I of the trucks la, lb, and le will be supplied with alternating or direct current through main or source terminals 59 and Current contro1 for each of the individual motors of the trucks la, lb, and |c, respectively, is accomplished by the circuits a, b, and 0, respectively. An automatic make-and-break switch mechanism limits the operation of the motors I in such a manner that each one will stop after it has arrived at the finish line; and, when all of them have arrived at the finish line, such that the main circuit will be broken. The actuation of the motors can only be initiated again by inserting a coin in slot mechanism 2|.

The slot mechanism 2| is shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4, as well as somewhat diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2. A conductor coin, for example, a nickel, is inserted in the slot 2| and travels downwardly through a tortuous or twisting path, as indicated in Figure 4, until it completes an electrical circuit contact between a spring-like contact element 24 and a pivoted switch arm element 25. The guide chamber through which the coin moves is substantially centrally-twisted and cutout or slotted as shown, in-order that a penny or other unsuitable coin of the wrong size will not reach the bottom or contact-making point. As soon as electrical contact is made between the elements 24 and 25, current from source 565| energizes a magnetic holding coil 49 of an automatic switch device D, see particularly Figures 1, 2, and 3. The actuation of the magnet coil 40 causes the switch D to close against compressive resistancepresented by a spring 4|, thus closing the magnet portions 32, causing electrical contact to be made between points 34 and 35 of an auxiliary magnet coil energizing live or circuit E (hereinafter fully.

explained), and also, causing contact to be made between points 36 and 31 of individual motor control circuits A, B, and C. In addition, electrical contact is made between points 45-46 through a conductor strip on the bottom of switch arm. and through points 44.

The closing or down movement of the magnetic portions 32, as shown particularly by the dotted lines of Figure 3, causes the switch arm 43 to snap the switch arm element 25 about its pivot point 26 to release the coin and thus to break electrical contact. As shown in Figure 3, the pivoted arm element 25 is normally maintained in a switch-contacting relationship by a spring 29 that is secured to the arm at point 28 and to a stationary portion of the machine at a point 30.

The switch arm 43 is provided with a trip finger 41, that is pivotally mounted thereon by a pin 49, and that is normally held in alignment with the arm 43 by a tension spring 49. The spring 49 normally holds a tail portion of the trip 41 against a lug or pin 49a on the arm 43, but permits the trip to move against the tension of the spring 49 in the opposite direction when the automatic switch device returns to its original or open position, thus allowing it to pass the end of lever arm 25.

As shown in Figure 3, the automatic switch includes a central rod 39, a mount plate 38, and an upper switch contact-carrying insulated plate or arm element 3| having flexible connections '33 and separate-circuit switch-contact points 35 and 36. A magnetic shoulder portion 32 extends substantially centrally downwardly from the arm element 3| and is securely mounted on the pin 39. A similar shoulder 32 extends upwardly from the top of coil 46. When current flows through the magnetic field coil 46, the magnet portions 32 close and hold the switch contact portions in closed electrical contact with respect to each other.

The lower switch element or arm 43 is in like manner securely mounted on the shaft 39 and is provided with switch points 44 which contact with switch points 45 and 46. The'spring 4| normally holds the switch contacts in an upper or open position except when the magnet coil 46 is actuated. The spring is positioned as shown between the lower face of the lower switch arm 43 and a bracket element 42. The rod 39 is slidably mounted with respect to coil 40 and carries switch elements 3| and 43.

It will appear that when the circuit represented by switch elements 24-25 is broken by the closing movement of the automatic switch coil 40, such coil will continue to be energized through an auxiliary line or circuit E which is connected to the coil through the contacts 34 and 35; thus, 40 is directly connected to terminal 56 and indirectly connected to terminal 5|, through contacts 45-44-46, line 52, contacts 14, line E, and contacts 35-34, see particularly the circuit diagram of Figure 2. This circuit is connected in parallel with motor control switches A, B, and-C, and is actuated through any one or all of these switches as long as electrical connection is made through one of these switches with the main supply line 5|. However, when all of these switches have been opened, namely, when each of the devices has 1 accomplished the requisite number of laps about the track, the circuit is broken and the coil 46 de-energized. This permits the spring 4| to break the contacts, 34-35, 36-31, and 44-45-46. To again initiate movement of the trucks l a, lb, and

I I0, it is therefore necessary to insert a coin in the slot 2| and to move each truck la, lb, and |c to a position corresponding to that shown for truck la in Figure 1 of the drawings.

- The individual control devices A, B. and C, for the motor trucks I 0, lb, and lo, respectively, are automatic in action. Each truck is provided with an outwardly-extending side-trip-arm H, see Figure 1, which strikes an adjacent finger of a threesegment or star wheel II. The star wheel I is rotatably mounted and is provided with one slightly longer arm or segment that has a switch contact I5. The switch contact I5 is intermittently slid or moved along the inner circumferential face of a switch contact sleeve ll. The switch l6--l l is connected between one end of coil 10 and contact 14 of switches A, B, and C.

The star wheel l5 may be provided with two or more star or arm portions, corresponding to the number of laps about the track which are to be permitted. The three-element wheel provides three laps about the track. As shown, the trucks In, etc., will move three times around the track, each time contacting one segment or the wheel I! and turning it; on the last lap, the switch contact portion I6 is moved from a righthand position (clockwise in Figure 1) to a lefthand position and the circuit between the points 65 and ill will be broken, see Figure 2. This break is employed to, in eil'ect, open the circuit between switch contacts l5 and I! and to thus break the circuit to the corresponding holding coil lb of the switches A, B, or C as the case may be. In th arrange ment shown, the completion of the movement oi a given truck about the track is represented by the positions of the arm it of the trucks la and lb as shown in Figure l of the drawings. True: lc represents the new starting position. In other words, when it is desired to start th game after the finish of a race, each of the trucks is moved forwardly a sufliclent distance such that th arm it will cause the switch contact it to move past the insulated snub or stop i8 into contact with the conductor sleeve IT. Th snub or projection it may be of a suitable insulator material having suf iicient flexibility to permit the contact point it to move therepast when the truck is again moved, forwardly to a starting position. A spring-like insulated snub or projection It extends outwardly from the sleeve ll and mechanically snubs the arm it when each truck arrives at the finish line; it is, of course, compressed when movement of the star wheel is again initiated.

The switch portions l6 and i? make and break the holding coil actuating circuits or automatic switch or control devices A, B, and C. The magnetic motor control devices A, B, and C may be constructed along the lines of the main control device D, shown in Figure 3. Since each of these control devices is similarly connected and opcrates in the same manner, I will for the purpose of simplification, describe the operation of deover th rod 1! and positioned between the arm 12 and a bracket 15. The arm 12, of course, is

-sccured to the rod H and th rod Ii slides in coil H! to cause the magnetic portions 32 referred to above to move into and out of contact with each other, or in electrical terminology, to make and break contact with each other. Any suitable standard form of magnetic switch may be employed such that conductor arm 12 may be moved towards and away from switch points 13 and 14. It will be understood that switche A, B, and C are not, in themselves, a part or the present invention.

Since, as before explained, each switch l6 and I1 is closed after the race has finished, the holding coil 10 of each control circuit device A, B. and C is immediately connected tothe power line terminals 50 and 5| when the main control switch D is closed by the insertion of a nickel in the slot 2!. The closing of switch D causes contact to be made between switch points 36-31, thus connecting the terminal 50 to one end of coils It.

The electric circuits of coils 10 of switches A, B, p

and C are simultaneously closed after the switch D has closed; all of these switches are held closed until each of the race trucks la, lb, and le has completed three laps about the track and has arrived at the finish line.

Although the switch A is opened and stays open, when the truck la arrive at the finish line, the switch D will not be opened until the switches B and C have been opened in the same manner. Thus, each truck is, lb, and le will arrive at the finish line before the current is shut oil! to its motor la, lb, and i0, respectively, and all must arrive before the current is shut oil to the magnet coil 45 or main control switch D.

When the circuit through contacts 16- is broken by the truck lc reaching the last lap, the coil 10 of switch C is tie-energized and the spring 36 returns the switch to an open position breaking the circuit at 13-16, and thus, breaking connection between the motor lo and the power line terminal 5i. course, after all the switches 36-5? have opened and then again been closed, the switches A, B, and C will remain open, since the holding coil to of switch D will be disconnected with respect to terminal 5! when the switches A, B, and C have opened, thus, breaking connection between line E and point 46 of switch D. Since the energization of the magnetic coil All of the main control switch is dependent upon current supply from the terminal 55 and at least one of the switches A, B, and C, it will be appar ent that when all or" the contacts iiill have been broken, no flow will be accomplished to the connection 35 and the coil fill will be tie-energized, permitting the switch to open.

The speed control of each of the motors To, lb, and 70 of the trucks la, lb, and is, respec tively, is accomplished by the circuits c, b, and 0, respectively, which are in parallel with respect to each other. Each circuit includes a resistance 53 in parallel with a variable resistance 54. The resistance 53 is or a. high value and represents the minimum slow rate of travel of a given truck about the track. However, the rate of travel of the truck may be varied by the resistance in that a decreasing of its resistance below the resistance of 53 wilt cause the majority of the current to pass through the circuit 5i, and to thus, detour around the circuit 53.

As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 12, the rheostat control mechanism includes a disc 54, a radially movable manual control arm 60, a control arm contact element 59, and a spring H which normally holds the contact 59 centrally of the disc 54 in contact with a central contact spot 56 which is connected to the parallel circuit a, b, or 0, see Figures 6 to 9, inclusive. As shown particularly in Figures 1, 11, and 12, the rheostat disc 54 is secured for rotation on the shaft 52, preferably removably secured as by keying or screw-threading it with, respect to the shaft. As shown particularly in Figure '12,

the disc 54 is provided with a mount portion In which is directly secured to the end of the shaft 52 and a rheostat portion i that is insulated irom and securely mounted on the portion 71. The portion h is preferablyof some suitable insulating material such as Bakelite, etc. A controlling handle or knob a is adapted to slide within a suitable guide k'and to thus move the contact so substantially radially across the face of the rheostat portion 2' of the disc 55 against the tension of spring 6i. An annular contact surface "a"? is mounted on the shaft 62 and slidably contacts with a brush 53 connected to the current supply terminal 5@, see Figure 2, through rheostat 6i and motor as. The shaft s2 and the contact 5? of the disc 56 are revolved through the agency of a pulley wheel 63, a drive belt or chain 5d, a pulley t5 and a' motor 66. The motor 85 is! connected in the line 5t and its speed is controlled by rheostat 57!. As shown, the motor is preferably connected in such a manner that it may drive the discs for each of the circuits a, b, and 0. Each disc may be provided with separate drive mechanisms if desired.

Since the various portions or segments of the resistance discs 56, see particularly Figures 6-9,

inclusive, are of different resistivity, a slide movement of the contact element 5a to the right of Figure 12, causes difierent' portions of the disc to contact with the contact element 59 and to decrease and increase the current flow in the circuit. That is, the contact element 59 is moved substantially radially of the disc 542 by the operating arm 60. The change of speed will depend -upon the shape of the segments and the type of materials employed in making them. In Figure 9, I have shown a rheostat or potentiometer type of winding on each of the segments. Of course, this type of disc will have a greater speed range than a metal piece type. Various ranges of speed may be obtained by using metals of different resistivity, such as iron, copper, aluminum, brass, nickel, etc., and various alloys.

In operation, a nickel or other conductor coinis inserted in the slot 2|, contact is made between the switch points 24 and 25 causing an actuation of switch closing coil 48 of main switch D. The magnetic coil 40 immediately closes the main circuits connecting them to terminals Ell-5i and causes the trucks la, lb, and to to move after the individual control switches A, B, and C have been energized and closed.

The rate of travel of each of the trucks will be varied by the rheostat control circuits a, b, and c, which are in turn, at least indirectly, controlled by the speed of the motor 66. After the requisite numberof laps have been accomplished,v

each of the switches A, B, and C is automatically opened and the main circuit of the switch D is finally automatically broken after all the trucks have reached the finish line. After the main control switch D has opened, a new coin must be inserted to initiate further operation. It should be noted that the coin switch circuit represented by switch elements 24-25 is immediately opened by the operation of the main switch D whereupon the coil 40 of the switch D is energized through an auxiliary line or circuit E which is in turn controlled by the individual motor control devices or magnetic switches A, B, and C.

- Since none of the holding coil cincuits is energized except after a coin has been inserted, no current is used when the device is idle.

From the above description, it appears that the operation of the device is entirely foolproof assaeo-s and is relatively simple as far as the individual operators are concerned. It the device is to be employed in life size and the operators are to sit on the horses 3, a circuit such as shown in Figure 10 may be successfully employed. This is a simplification of the circuit shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each of the motors l is controlled by circuits (1, b, and c, which are connected in parallel to the supply terminas 5t and 5!. The operation 'of the trucks'may be stopped and started by a master switch 8Q operated by the attendant; and, the maximum rate of travel and the starting of the horses can be controlled by a master control rheostat 9. The rider of each horse 3 can thus only non-positively control his speed of travel.

In this layout, it is preferable to mount the disc operating motor 55' in the head of each horse. Thus, the operator can control the rheostat through the reins 3, seeFigure 11. As shown, the reins i are connected to a pull arm which extends through a slot in the face of the horse, and which, as shown particularly in Figures 11 and 12, is connected to a slide contact element 59. The contact 59 is the element 59 shown in detail in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and is normally maintained in a neutral position, corresponding to the axial center of the disc 5 by the tension of a spring 6! which is pivotally connected to the slide contact element 59 and to a mount lug 85.

Although there are many novel features involved in the present invention, it will be apparent that the speed control which is nonpositive as far as the individual operator is condividual push button switch mechanism for controlling the start of each motor truck la, lb

- and la. The push button switch connection may be made between the terminals e and f in each of the motor control circuits at, b, and c. The switch itself is simple in construction and includes contact points g and h and a magnetic holding coil 2' which is energized as long as the respective motor circuit is energized. Thus, an

individual operator can press in the button at the start of the race and the coil 2' will hold the button in a closed position to the end of the race or until the motor circuit has been broken by the release of the magnetic switch A, B, or C, as the case may be.

I have employed an individual coin mechanism for each of the actuating circuits of the motor driven trucks la, lb, and lo. However, I have shown a single slot control switch in the illustrated embodiment of my invention.

It will appear that the rotation of disc 54 effects what may be termed a cyclic change of resistance, and thus, of speed of the associated truck motor; a variation of the motor drive control resistance 61 can thus be employed to effect a change in the frequency of the above-mentioned cyclic variations.

In the embodiment of Figure 13, I have shown a pair of speed-reduction gears that are driven from the motor 1. This gear train actuates a rocker cam mechanism which is pivotally connected to a pivotally mounted horse 3', in order that actual riding conditions may be assimilated by the rocking of the horse as the truck I moves about the track H.

It will be apparent that many other circuit and operating arrangements may be employed in connection with my invention and that the circuits and arrangements shown are merely illustrative. Voltage and/or current actuated holding coils may be employed in connection with the switch circuits. In the outdoor device, the speed control mechanism may be operated by a knob, by the stirrups, or in any other suitable manner; each horse may also be provided with a stop and start control, if desired. Also, proper mechanical elements may be employed for actuating the horses legs, if desired.

From the above illustrations and applications of my invention, it will appear to those skilled in the art that many other modifications, substitutions, additions, and/or combinations thereof may be made in connection with the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device, at least two movable trucks, a motor for actuating each of said trucks, a source of power, a coin-controlled switch mechanism connected between said motors and said source of power, means for holding said coincontrolled switch mechanism in a closed position, and additional switches connected between said motors and said first-mentioned switch, said additional switches being connected to release said holding means and open said first-mentioned switch mechanism only after all of them have been opened by a predetermined movement of each of said pair of trucks.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a pair of tracks, a truck operably mounted on each of said tracks and adapted to move thereon, a source of power, actuating means operably associated with each of said trucks, connections betweensaid source of power and said actuating means, and rheostat means interposed between said source of power and each of said actuating means for automatL cally controlling the rate of movement of the trucks about their associated tracks, and means operably associated with said rheostat means for impositively controlling therate of movement or said trucks during their automatic control by said rheostat means.

3. In an amusement apparatus, at least a pair of tracks, at least a pair of trucks movably mounted on said tracks, a motor drivingly connected to each of said trucks, a source of energy for energizing said motors, means automatically operated after said trucks have completed a predetermined number of laps for cutting ofi the supply of energy to each of said motors when each of said trucks approaches a line transverse to the movement or said trucks and representing a finish line, and means connected between said source of energy and said motors for cutting of! the supply of energy to both of said motors only after both of said trucks have reached the finish line.

4;. In an amusement apparatus, a pair of tracks, a truck operably mounted on each of said tracks and adapted to move thereon, a source of power, an actuating means operably associated with each of said trucks, connections between said source of power and said actuating means, a normallyclosed trip means operably associated with each of said actuating means and connected between said actuating means and said source of power, said trip means being adapted to be opened for cutting off the supply of power to each of said actuating means after a predetermined number of laps of said trucks about said tracks, means operably connected between said source of power and said trip means for preventing a restarting of another race after one truck has been stopped at a finish line by the opening of said trip means, and after said trip means has again been closed, until all of said trucks have reached a line extending transversely of the movement of said trucks and designated as the finish line.

5. In an amusement apparatus, at least two movable trucks, a motor for actuating each of said trucks, a source of power, a primary switch mechanism operably connected between said motors and said source of power, secondary switches connected between said motors and said primary switch, said primary switch having a coil for holding it in a suitable position, said secondary switches being operably connected through switch points to said source of power and said holding coil, and being constructed, arranged, and connected to out 01f energization of said holding coil to thereby open said primary switch only after all of said secondary switches have been opened by a predetermined movement of each of said pair of trucks.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a track, a plu rality of amusement mechanisms adapted to move about said track, a source of energy for said amusement mechanisms, an automatic switch having contact elements connected to said source, means for closing said switch, means for holding said switch closed until said automatic switch is actuated by said source of energy. said thusactuated automatic switch being adapted to operably connect said source of energy to said amusement mechanisms, means operably associated with and actuated upon actuation of said automatic switch for releasing said switch holding means, and means operably connected between said automatic switch and said amusement mechanisms for automatically opening said automatic switch when all of said mechanisms have moved about said track a predetermined number of times.

'I. In an amusement device, a source of power, movement-producing mechanisms, 9. switch connected to said source of power and connecting one side of said source of power to said movement-producing mechanisms, additional switches, one for each of said movement-producing mechanisms, said first-mentioned switch connecting another side of said source of power to said additional switches, each of said additional switches being connected to an associated movement-producing mechanism, means associated with said first-mentioned switch for closing it and closing said additional switches, means associated with each of said movement-producing mechanisms for opening its associated additional switch, and means effective for opening said first-mentioned switch only after all of said additional switches have opened.

ANDREW H. S'I'EWART. 

